Tenth Doctor: 10 Things We Learned About “The Lazarus Experiment”

From the moment he captured our hearts with “Barcelona” to the moment he left us heartbroken with “I don’t wanna go” Join us in celebration as Series Three marks David Tennant’s 10 years anniversary since his Doctor met Martha Jones.

Leaving New York behind after reuniting the pig and the show girl in their version of a love story, the Doctor and Martha are on for a new destination. However, this trip might be a bit personal since there’s no place like it, at least for Martha anyway.

Home.

The Doctor fulfilled his promise. After a long detour, he finally takes Martha home. However, this Time Lord has a habit of leaving people left and right, Martha is right to be disappointed. The Doctor takes off without saying goodbye but quickly comes back because he smells trouble.

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Just like that, one more adventure is in order. The Doctor is determined to find out what Professor Lazarus is up to when he said he is going to change what it means to be human. Here are 10 things we learned about “The Lazarus Experiment”

1. Tuxedo of doom

It’s nice to see the Doctor changes his outfit now and then. But do you remember what happened last time he put on a tux? He was running for his life from the Cybermen. The Doctor is fully aware of what comes with the black tie attire, “whenever I wear this, something bad always happens” You’re right to be worried, Doctor, because you have no idea what you’re about to walk into.

2. Mark Gatiss

Professor Lazarus is played by Mark Gatiss, who’s one of the very few people who has written and acted in Doctor Who. In addition to “The Idiot’s Lantern”, Gatiss’s writing credits including “The Crimson Horror” and “Night Terrors” (11th Doctor) and “Empress of Mars” and “Sleep No More” (12th Doctor)

Did you know? Stephen Greenhorn (the writer) drew his inspiration from The Fly (1986) and The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde in order to create the “mad scientist” storyline.

3. It’s not the time, it’s the person

Professor Lazarus believes that humans should live many lifetimes in order accomplish a long list of things they want to do. The Doctor disagrees, as he knows that better than anyone that one lifetime is more than enough.

“Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It’s not the time that matters, it’s the person”

Lazarus sees staying young forever as a blessing, but for the Doctor, it’s a curse.

4. Looking at you, the Third Doctor

After barely escaped getting blended to death, the Doctor couldn’t help but disappoint in himself about a simple task. “It really shouldn’t take that long just to reverse the polarity. I must be a bit out of practice” That’s a reference to the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) whose solutions to the problems are often reversing polarity.

Mrs. Jones isn’t amused by the Doctor’s enthusiasm. After seeing Martha risking her life running after the Doctor, she immediately blames him for it (and gives me a big slap in the face) Stunned and confused, the Doctor recalls “always the mothers, every time” Jackie Tyler was the last mother to slap the Doctor. It was during the Ninth Doctor’s episode in “Aliens of London”

6. I was there.

Professor Lazarus seeks sanctuary at the Southwark Cathedral where the Doctor catches up with him. Lazarus recalls having been here before as a child when he was seeking shelter and praying for his life during the Blitz.

History lesson: The Blitz refers to the bombing by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) over Britain in 1940 and 1941, during World War II.

The Doctor claims he was there when it happened. This is the direct reference to Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor episodes, “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances”

7. You just get tired.

Lazarus thinks the Doctor is too young to have witnessed the Blitz but little does he know that the Doctor is older than he looks. No one understands the struggle of losing people better than the Doctor.

“I’m old enough to know that a longer life isn’t always a better one. In the end, you just get tired. Tired of the struggle. Tired of losing everyone that matters to you. Tired of watching everything turn to dust. If you live long enough, the only certainty left is that you’ll end up alone”

The Doctor believes that there is no such thing as an ordinary human. For that reason, he is so attached to humans and always finds himself wonders back to Earth to save its people.

8. Harold Saxon

Mr. Saxon’s name has been mentioned a few times throughout the episode. There is also a mysterious man warning Mrs. Jones about the Doctor. Turns out, words about the Doctor being dangerous come directly from Harold Saxon himself. We still don’t know the identity of this Saxon character but he soon will reveal himself during the final 2 episodes of this series.

Did you notice? Lazarus’ project insignia, a circular pattern of circles seen many times within the laboratory, is the same pattern later seen on the Master’s ring during the final episode of the series.

9. Beethoven and the Doctor

Using the hypersonic sound waves dialling up to 11, Doctor positions himself at the pipe organ and plays it away, results in Lazarus falling to his death. Martha is as surprised as anyone, “I didn’t know you could play” The Doctor admits that he picks up a few things from Beethoven after hanging out with the man.

Fun fact: “dial up to 11” is a reference to a mockumentary “This is Spinal Tap” (1984)

10. Welcome aboard, Martha Jones.

After a long night of saving the world, the Doctor wants Martha to come along for one more trip. But Martha has a different idea. She refuses to be just a passenger. She’d rather stay than coming along for a treat. It doesn’t take a genius to see that Martha is one brave and smart girl. The Doctor seems to finally see it, too. “You were never really just a passenger, were you?“, says the Doctor.

“The Lazarus Experiment” hits every Doctor Who notes – the monster, the science mumbo jumbo, the brave Doctor, the explosion, the conflict, and the smashing dialogues. We get to peek inside the Doctor’s hearts and how he relates to Lazarus but in such a completely opposite way.

His fear of losing people will never go away because, for him, it’s a curse that he has to carry with him no matter where he goes. The Doctor will continue to hide his pain behind that proper boy smile and distract himself with crazy and dangerous adventures.

There you have it. These are 10 things we learned about “The Lazarus Experiment” Martha is now properly on board the TARDIS. She and the Doctor are heading for the next unknown. Next time, we’re flying a little too close to the Sun as the Doctor and Martha race against time in the “24” style to save a spaceship and everyone on board from bursting into flames in “42”

Jeri is a Doctor Who enthusiast and an avid David Tennant fan. She's from Nashville, TN. She enjoys British crime dramas and is a huge fan of Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jeri has great passion for independent films and riding motorcycles. She also thrives on great conversations about David and his brilliant professional life.